Power-driven sampling probe for ear corn



Nov. 17, 1964 A. J. LIPETZKY POWER-DRIVEN SAMPLING PROBE FOR EAR CORN Filed Jan. 19, 1962 INVENTOR. AUGUST J L/PETZKY W r I ATToRNEYs United States Patent 3,157,050 POWER-DRIVEN EAMPLING PROBE FOR EAR (KERN August J. Lipetzky, Rte. 2, Springfield, Minn. Filed Jan. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 167,363 1 Claim. (Cl. 73-4252) My invention relates to equipment for use in connection with the testing of ear corn in bulk stored in cribs or bins.

A primary object of my invention is the provision of a power-operated ear corn test probe which may be inserted into the heart of the bin with a minimum of effort.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class immediately above described which is more eificient in its operation than any device heretofore produced.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described which is relatively inexpensive to produce and which is rugged and durable in use.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of my novel probe, some parts being broken away and some parts being shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a view in section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in transverse section taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates an elongated tubular body, whereas reference charaoter 2 identifies an elongated crosssectioually arcuate, open top specimen collecting tray which is rigidly secured to the front end of the body and forms an axial extension thereof. Extending axially through the body 1 and specimen collecting tray 2 is a rotary shaft 3, the same being journalled in tubular bearings 4, 5 in the front and rear ends of the body, respectively. Effectively the bearing 5 forms the rear Wall of the body 1, whereas the bearing 4 forms the front wall thereof as well as the rear wall of the tray 2. At its forward end the shaft 3 is journalled in a bearing 6 which forms the front wall of the tray 2. It will be noted that the diameter of the body 1 is less than the maximum width of the tray 2, a factor which reduces friction to a minimum as the tray 2 and body 1 are forced into a corn crib, as hereinafter described in greater detail. Immediately forwardly of the tray 2 the shaft 3 has mounted thereon for common rotation therewith a pointed auger element 7, the opposite edges of which are beveled to define relatively sharp kernel snapping edges 3. It will be noted, particularly by reference to FIG. 3, that the tray 2 defines in excess of 180 of circular arc and that the shaft 3 is concentric with the axis defined by the arc of said tray 2. Consequently, the enlarged rear end of the auger element 7 (which corresponds in diameter approximately to the width of the tray 2) defines a circle during rotation, a portion of which projects above the plane of the side edges 9 of said tray 2. The significance of this will hereinafter become apparent.

3,157,050 Patented Nov. 17, 1964 Immediately rearwardly of the body 1 the shaft 3 is provided with a set-screw-equipped stop washer 10. Axially rearwardly of the stop washer 10 a power source, preferably and, as shown, in the nature of an electric motor-driven power drill 11, is secured to the extreme rear end of the shaft 3 through the medium of a conventional chuck 12.

When it is desired to probe the ear corn within a crib or bin, rotary motions are imparted to the shaft 3 and anger element 7 through the medium of the power drill 11; and the device above described, auger element 7 forward, is gently forced into the crib'by exerting hip pressure against the rear end of the power drill 11 while the hands of the operator are positioned on the handle means 13. When it is desired to obtain samples only from the heart of the crib, the body 1 is rotated so that the open top 14 of the tray 2 faces downwardly. As the area to be probed is approached however, the body 1 and tray 2 are again rotated 180 so that the open top 14 of the latter is upwardly disposed. Under such conditions, as kernels of corn are dislodged or snapped away from their cobs, they will fall into the collecting tray 2 under action of gravity as the device is pushed forwardly. When the probe is removed from the bin, it is obvious that the tray 2 should be maintained in an upright position so as to retain therein the kernel specimens so collected.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects, and while I have shown a preferred embodiment thereof, I wish it to be understood that same may be capable of modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

An ear corn probe comprising:

(a) an elongated body,

(22) an elongated cross-sectionally U-shaped radially outwardly opening specimen collecting tray rigidly secured to and forming an axial extension of the front end of said body,

('0) a rotary shaft extending axially through said body and said tray and journalled in opposite end walls of each thereof,

(:1) a pointed auger element fastened on the extreme outer end of said shaft immediately forwardly of said tray,

(e) means for imparting rotation to the rear end of said shaft rearwardly of said body,

( and radialiy outwardly projecting handle means on the rear end portion of said body,

(g) whereby specimens are fed into said tray under action of gravity under forward movements of said probe through a crib or bin when said tray is in an upwardly opening position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,361,067 10/44 Shaw 73425.2 2,435,608 2/48 Sanford et a1. 73425 2,875,615 3/59 Ulvin 73-425 RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Primary Examiner. 

